Households to get £150 bill cut as energy efficiency scheme scrapped

Simon Francis, coordinator at End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “Any reduction in energy bills will be welcome as households face their fifth winter of the energy costs crisis and the government is right to be investing in the Warm Homes Plan to help improve the energy efficiency of peoples’ homes.

“But no one can warm their home with Budget headlines, and the Chancellor’s statement also highlights the scale of the challenge.

“Even with the changes announced, we expect that from April 2026, average energy bills will still be hundreds of pounds higher than they were in winter 2020/2021 and £97 higher than at the General Election.

“The millions of households who will still be struggling with the cost of energy need further bold action from the government in reform of energy pricing, targeting energy bill support at those who need it, delivering on a new fuel poverty strategy and in creating an ambitious Warm Homes Plan to upgrade cold, damp homes.

“And we’d also urge the Chancellor to address a c.25 per cent projected shortfall in total energy efficiency funding in future Budgets after the ECO scheme is scrapped.”